MANILA, Philippines—The state-run weather bureau on Thursday downgraded storm warning signals in various provinces as tropical storm “Juaning” (international name: Nock-ten) continued to move farther away from the country.
In its latest weather bulletin issued at 5 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 a.m., Juaning was seen 240 km west southwest of Laoag City.
The tropical storm also intensified slightly and was packing maximum sustained winds of 95kph near the center and gusts of up to 120 kph, Pagasa said.
Juaning also picked up speed and was traveling west northwestward at 22 kph.
Only the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales remain under signal number 1 while all other storm signal warnings elsewhere had been lowered, Pagasa said.
Nevertheless, Pagasa still warned
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signal 1 to remain alert against possible flash floods and landslides.
Juaning will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon and will bring widespread rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides over the Rest of Luzon and Western Visayas,” Pagasa added.
The western section of Northern Luzon and Zambales will have rains and gusty winds and coastal waters will be moderate to rough, Pagasa said. The rest of Luzon and Visayas will likewise experience monsoon rains while Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, Pagasa added.
“Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough,” Pagasa said.
Juaning was forecast to exit Philippine seas between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday morning and by afternoon, the tropical storm was expected to be 440 km west of Laoag City.
By Friday morning, the tropical cyclone will be 680 km west of Laoag City or at 350 km southeast of Hainan, China.